Improvement in gages for setting axle-boxes



T.. scnTT. Y Ga'ges for setting Axle Boxes.

Patented April 29, 1873.

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AM PHoroumosRAPf/lc ca. Mxwsaanf's Pnacsss) UNITED STATES PATENT QEEIcE.

THOMAS SCOTT, OF ST. PAUL, MINNESOTA, ASSIGNOR OF ONE-HALF HIS RIGHT TOALEXANDER KENRIOK, OF SAME PLAGE.

IMPROVEMENT INGAGES FOR SETTING AXLE-BOXES.

Specification forming part of Letters Patent No. 138,347, dated April29, 1873; application filed February 8, 1873.

To all whom it may concern:

Beit known that I, THOMAS SooTT, of St. Paul, in the county of Ramseyand Stat-e of .Minnesota, have invented certain Improvements in Gagesfor `Setting Axle-Boxes, of which the following is a specification:

Mtv-invention relates to gages for setting the axle-box of a wheel trulyin the hub, or centering it, so that the fellies Ior tire may revolve ina plane exactly perpendicular to the axis. As this work is done it isnecessary, after the box is inserted in the hub, to fit a mandrel orplug to the box, which will revolve in it and fit at both the larger andsmaller ends. From an extension of this mandrel an arm projects in ahorizontal direction, and from the end of the arm a spur extendsdownward to touch the felly of the wheel. If, on revolving this arm, thespur touches all parts of the felly, it is obvious that the wheel willrun truly on its axis, but if it will only touch at one point it becomesnecessary to wedge between the hub and the box until the right positionis obtained. Axleboxes differ in their length, size, and taper, and-theusual method of forming the mandrel is to make a wooden plug, turningitto fit the especial box on which the artisan is at work. Among a largecollection of such mandrels (and most carriage-makers are obliged tokeep a quantity on hand) it may be impossible to find one to fit aspecial job of work, and thus a loss of time and labor is experienced infitting one to the box. I have overcome this difficulty by making anadjustable mandrel, one that can be fitted easily to any box, whatevermay be its length, size, 'or taper. This will dispense with thenecessity of keeping on hand a quantity of various sizes, and will savea great deal of time in fitting the gage to the box.

In the drawing I have shown, in Figure l, a section of a hub, and anaxle-box with the gage adjusted to it. Fig. 2 is a top view of the samewith the stem removed, and Fig. 3 is a bottom view with the screwremoved.

A shows a hub, and B a box. O C is the mandrel, the part C being made toslide in screw, which tightens the lower set of leaves to the mandrel 5and Gis a stem or shaft, from the bottom of which a screw enters themandrel to tighten the upper leaves. The top of the stem G is enlargedand perforated to receive the arm H, from which a spur projects downwardin the ordinary manner. K is a lia-ngc on the upper leaf to prevent themandrel from dropping into the box.

To fit the gage to the box, I slide the leaves apart until they impingeupon/the sides of the box, and then screw them firmly together. Themandrel will then revolve freely, the arm and spur describing a planeperpendicular to its axis. By using leaves of different lengths and byextending or shortening the mandrel a single gage may be made to lit anybox from that of the lightest sulky to that of the heaviest wagon.

The extending apparatus may be dispensed with, and only the leaves usedin somel cases, but the gage is more generally useful with it.

I have experimented with different modes of separating the leaves, as byusing wedges or by a tapered plug, and have contemplated splitting theupper and lower ends of the mandrel and forcing them apart by means of awedge or similar contrivance, but consider the method shown as the mostadvantageous.

I claim as my invention- 1. A gage for truing-7 axle boxes made with amandrel adjustable to fit varying sizes of axle-boxes by means ofsliding` vleaves at the top and at the bottom, which leaves form thebearing-surface of the mandrel, substantially as described.

2. The gage for truing axle-boxes having sliding leaves upon itsmandrel, and a lengthenn g device formed by dividing the mandrel andmaking one part to slide in the other, substantially as set forth anddescribed.

THOMAS SCOTT.

Witnesses:

GHAs. F. SLEEPER, JAMES B. BEALs.

